Feeler-motion for looms



E. S. STIMPSON.

FEELER MOTION FOR LOOMS. APPLICATION mu) SEPT. 19 1911.

Patented J an. 6, 1920.

To all whom it may concern a citizen of the United States, residing EDWARD S. STIMPSON,

OF HOPEDALE, IlfilASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DBAPER CORPORATION, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

' y FEELER-MOTION r03 Looms-:

S? STIMPsoN, at Hopedale, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Feeler-Motions for Looms, of which thefollowing description, in'com Be it knownthat I, EDWARD 4 nection with the accompanying drawlngs, is

a specification, like. characters on the drawings' representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler motions for looms, and more particularl to that type of feeler motions wherein t e change of the loom,;such efiected prior filling in the in the operative condition as replenishment of filling, is to complete exhaustion of the shuttle. a

Where replenishment of filling is to be' made beforethe filling in "the shuttle is entirely exhausted, it is essential that the feeler motion 'be sensitiveeither to the pres ence or absence of a working supply of filling in the shuttle. Should it indicate substantial exhaustion when there still 're mains in the shuttle a sulficient working supply, much waste is liable to occur; while, on the other hand, should it failto indicate substantial exhaustion until the filling entirely withdrawn, liable to result. In this general type of feeler motion, some filling usually remains on the old filling carrier when it is ejected and replaced by afresh supply, and mini mum waste with maximum perfect cloth production dictate that the amount of filling remaining on the ejected carrier should not only be small but substantially uniform in amount.

In the patent to Edward S. Stimpson No. 1,309,226 dated July 8, 1919, there is shown, described and broadly claimed a feeler motion in a position for movement inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shuttleorfilling carrier and is held from movement longitudinally along the filling carrier b the filling on a, detecting beat until the filling is substantially exhausted, and is then moved along the filling carrier under the frontward push to initiate filling replenishment. In the present invention the feeler member is supported in an inclined position relative to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle or path of lalynilnovement, but instead ent of filling through of effecting replenis Specification of Letters Iatent.

shuttle, fails to is a'defect in the cloth is wherein the feeler member is supported Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

Application filed September 19, 1917. Serial 'No. 192,187. i

vides means which is actuated by the front ward movement of the feeler member when ithas been displaced laterally b vthe frontward pressure of the substantia ly denuded filling carrier.

In carrying the present invention into practical effect, the controller forcontrolling the train of mechanism for efi'ecting replenishment of filling is provided with a finger which, on each detecting beat when a working supplyv be hit bya part carried by the feeler member as thelatter-moves frontwardly, but which is struck by a part carried 7 by the feeler member when the latter moves frontwardly following an indication of sub-- ,stantial exhaustion of filling.

The above characteristics ,of the invention and other important and novel features thereof will be hereinafter described in connection with the accompanying drawings showing one good form thereof, and the novel features and combinations will then be definitely set forth by the claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 .is a

invention, someof the parts being broken away for clearness of illustration.

Fig. 2 is'a detail plan view Flg; 3 1s a view similar to that of Fig. 2 I

showing the relation of-parts when the filling in the shuttle is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.- t Fig. 4 is a detached detail showing one' form of means for transmitting the indicating' movement of the feeler to the train of mechanism to be; actuated when the filling -is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

frame 1, only a portion of which is shown in the drawings may be of any suitable 100111 frame as ymeans of-the bolts 4. S

of filling is present in the 70 perspective view of a pori- 85' tion of a loom provided with the present on a larger 9 scale showing the improved feeler mecha- 90 Referring to the drawings, the loom cured to rock with thetransverse or rock shaft '2 is the upwardly extending arm (Fig. 1) to,the upper portion of. which is pivoted at 6 the arm 7, which' for identification may hereinafterbe termed the actuatol,

because-by engagement of the rearwardly 7 extending end 8with an operating member 9, operation of the filling replenishingmechanism is efiected. The operating mem- 'ber 9'may be any suitable part of the loom elements, such, for example, as weft ham- 1 mer or cam follower, or it may be a part secured for operation in unison'vtherewith, as well understood by thoseskilledjin the art. The operating member has an upper engaging pOrtion'lO, which, when the ac I tuator 7 is lifted, as will hereinafter more appear, engages the rearwardly 'ex- I full ten ing .end portion 8 "of, the actuator to move it frontwardly and rockj the'transvjerse' or rock shaft 2. J l

The lay carries the usual shuttle -box, and

inasmuch, as the feeler'member, of the-present invention is to feel foixtlfe filling'in the shuttle on a detecting beat, the front wall 11 of-the shuttle-box is provided with a slot or i opening 12, and similarly the frontwall '13 of the shuttle (Figsrl, 2 audit) is provided I i {with-an opening l ladaptedto'register. with,

the opening 12 in the shuttleboxiwhen-ithe shuttle containing the fillin' carrier 15 :is

properly boxed on the'dete'cting side of .the loom.

The present inve tion contempliitesfthat the feeler membersha'llbe supported inpQ- sition to enter the shuttleiat aninclination to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle or filh 'ingcarrier, and that on {the forward movement of the lay the feeler member may be moved frontwardly in an inclined direction to-the lay movement. Various formsfof supports may-be employed for the-accomplishment of, this purpose, but'in the present in- I stance of the invention, the loom frame or imparted to the feeler member thereby, but

- shipper stand-rhas "promoting therefrom a fee supporting. plateon'bracket 19 upon which.

issecured the feeler stand 20. Tnythe presfent instance ofv the invent1on,the feeler stand 20 is provided with a slot 21,- throughjwhich ext'ends the securing bol'tf22, the construe! ftion being such, that thefeelenstandflmay 5 be adjusted on the supportingplatehzor bracket 19. v e

. Risinglfrom therear portion of the feeler stand 20 is thebe'aring 23 having a'slot 24:.

in which rests the feelerjimember 215 which may be'suitably confined for movement in the'slot 24: bymeans of a cap" piece 27 overlying the-feeler'member 25 and secured in position-by suitable screws or other means 28. The feeler stand is provided at its front portion with the bearing 29 for the front I r j 5 m portion of the feeler member 225, lln the present instance of: the inventiomthe bearing-29 is formed of a part separate from-the position by means such as the bolt 30.- The bearing 29 has an opening 31 therein of somewhat larger dimensions than the feeler member 25, as more fully shown in Figs. 2

and 3, through which the front end portion of the feeler member 25 extends, the con-. struction being such that as the feeler member 25 is moved frontwardly in aninclined direction on *a detecting beat, the enlarged opening 31 in the bearing 29 will permit the feeler member to swing ormove laterally.

The feelerstand 20 is provided with a frontwardl-y inclined slotted portion .32 which is'bridged' by apart 33 secured to the feelerimember 25 'between the front andre'ar bearings .of the feeler stand, the side portions ofthe part 33 preferably ridingupon "the feeler stand 20at each side of the slot 32 when the feeler-member 25 is moved frontwardly in its inclined. path, as will more fully appear The feeler'member25 is normally under the'influence of means tending to move it rearwardly, and in the present instance of the invention, such means consists of a spring 34 surrounding the, feeler member25 and having one end portion resting against the bearing 29, and the other end portion against the part 33,- the-const'ruction being .such, that the spring 34n0rmally acts upon athe feeler in the direction of its inclination to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle or fillin carrier. I

he feeler. member 25 h'as an end portion- 35 which issuitablyroughenedor toothed to engage the filling orfilling carrier on a detectingbeat, the construction beingsuch, that should a working supply-of filling be present in the shuttle as indicated in Fig, 2

i on a detecting-beat, the end 35of the feeler Inemberfwill be held by the filling from movement along or longitudinally of the filling carrier under thefrontward impulse {should the filling be substantially exhausted, though not. quite depleted, the frontward push of thefilling carrier upon the end 35 of the feeler member. will cause the feeler member to move along or in a direction longitudinally of the-filling carrier or shuttle as the lay makes its detecting heat.

From the construction described, it will be apparent that when there'is a working supplyof filling present in the shuttle on a detectingbeat, the feeler member will be moved frontwardlyin an inclined direction,

, feeler stand and secured thereto in desired.

' upon the feeler member under the frontward" dered push will also change and the feeler be renmore sensitive to the quantity of filling in the shuttle. When the fillin has become substantially exhausted as in icated in Fig. 3, the end of the feeler member will again engage the surface of the filling carrier or the few turns of filling yet remaining opposed to the end of the feeler member, and the frontward push will cause the feeler member -to move in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and assume a more acute angular relation with the longitudinal axis of the shuttle or filling carrier as the lay completes its frontward beat.

Connected to the feeler member 25 is a part 36, which, when the feeler is moved longitudinally of the filling carrier on a detecting beat, is positioned for engagement with means for initiating filling replenishment. In the present instance of'the invention, ,the part 36 is formed as a portion of the art 33 secured to the feeler member.

ounted .for rocking movement in suitable bearings 37 carried by the bracket 38 securedto the loom frame or shipper stand, is a rocker or controller 39 having a downwardly extended portion 40 adapted to be moved and cause rocking movement of the 1 the down-turned path toward the front tecting beat, and that the rocker or control rocker or controller when the feeler member 25 has been moved longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat, or in other words, when the filling is substantially exhausted. In the present instance of the invention, the part 40 is formed as a finger securedto the rocker or controller 39 by' a set screw 41, and suitable collars 42 restrain longitudinal movement of the rocker or controller 39. The rocker or controller 39 has a lifting finger or crank arm 43,- the end 44 of which extends under the actuator 7,.the construction being such, that'should the part 36 connected to thefeeler member 25 contact with ortion 40 of the rocker or controller as the eeler member moves frontwardly in its inclined path on a detecting beat, the actuator 7 will. be positioned for engagement by initiate filling replenishment.

From the construction described, it will be .notedthat the part 36 for rocking the rocker or controller 39 moves in an inclined of the loom on a del'er 39 is supported for rocking movement about an axis at an angle to the path of inclined'frontward movement of the part 36. It is, therefore, desirable that means be provided between the part 36 and the portion 40 of the rocker or controller to prevent disengagement of the part 36 from the part 40 of the controller as the former moves frontwardly end the feele stand 20 has rising therefrom a lug or support 45, and pivotally supported angular relation to the initial inclination the operating member 9 to, inclination of the feeler in its inclined path. To this on the lug 45 as at 46 is'a transmitter 47 adapted to swing in a plane substantially extension 48 interposed between the down turned portion 40 of the rocker or actuator 39 and the part 36 of the feeler member, the

construction being such, that when, on a detecting beat with filling substantially exhausted, the part 36 has been moved laterally with the feeler member to engage the extension 48 of the transmitter 47, it will swing. the transmitter and perforce turn the rocker or controller to initiate filling replen- I ishment.

On each detecting beat the feeler member 25 will be moved-frontwardly in a changing longitudinal axis of the shuttle by the frontward push, and in order to return the feeler to its proper inclined feeling position when the lay goes back, the feeler stand is provided with a cam portion 49 which is adapted to be engaged 'by a downwardly extending lug 50 of the bridge part 33 as the spring '34 moves the feeler rearwardly. When the feeler is in its proper, inclined feeling position, the bridge part 33 acts as a stop by contact with the. connection with the cam 49 maintains the feeler in proper feeling position.

In order that the sensitive character of the feeler may be maintained, notwithstandthe, different kinds of 'filling employed, present invention contemplatesthat the ing the of the feeler with respect rear bearing of the feeler stand, and in ion to. the longitudinal axis of the shuttle or v filllng carrier may be adjusted to suit the conditions ofv use. To this end the plate or bracket 19 on which the feeler stand 20 is supported, is provided with a frontwardly I expanding recess '51 in which extends a rib projectingv from the under side of the feeler stand 20, the construction being such, that by properly loosening the bolt 22, the

withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the, shuttle may be changed at will. In order to gage or accurately determine the adjusted position of the feeler in its inclined relation ,Wltll respect to the longitudinal'axis of the shuttle, a scale and pointer. are provided. In the present instance of the invention, the pointer 53 is secured to the plate or bracket 19 and has an end portion overlying a graduated scale 54 secured to a front vportion of the feeler stand, the construction being suchthat when the feeler is angularly adjusted, as hereinbefore described, the amount of adjustment. for the different kinds or characterof filling in use may be readily determined.

Claims. p

1. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler member supported in a end to engage the filling and be held from position inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle and movable frontwardly on its support in changing angular relation to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle by the frontward push, said feeler member having an in combination, a feeler member,'means for supportlng the feeler member 111 an mclmed position relative to the shuttle and for front- ;Ward andswinging movements about a changing 1 fulcrum on each detecting beat,

anend on the feeler adapted to engage and be held by the fillingfrom movement along the filling carrier until substantial exhaustion of filling, a transmitter movable in a path inclined tothe longitudinal axis of the shuttle and meansv actuated by the transmitter when moved by the feeler member for effecting a change of, filling.

' 3. A feeler motion for looms, comprising,

in combination, a feeler member supported in. an inclined positlon relative to the longitudinal axis ofthe shuttle and for lengthwise and lateral movements on,v each detectmg beat, an end on the feeler member'for limiting the lateral movement of the feeler.

- by engagement with the filling on a. detecting beat and permitting the feeler'to be dis-' placed laterally anincreased amount bythe frontward pressure when the filling is substantially exhausted, aprojection carried bythe feeler member,a transmitter adapted to be moved in a path-inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle by the projection when filling is substantially exhausted, and

, a train of mechanism actuated by the trans-1 mitter for efiecting replenishment of filling.

4; A feeler motion for looms, comprising,

- transmitter to efi'ect replenishmentoffilling? in combination, a feeler member supported in an inclined position relative to the longitudinal axisof the shuttle and for length.

a wise and lateral movement on each detecting heat, means for ad usting the initial incliiusa'aovo nation ofthe feeler member and shuttle, an end on the feeler member for limlting the lateral movement of the iteeler by engagement with the filling on a detecting beat and permitting the feeler to be displaced laterally an increased amount when the filling is substantially 1 exhausted, a transmitter, a train of mechanism for'efi'ecting replenishment of filling, and a finger interposed be-.

tween the transmitter and train ofmechanism.

5. A feeler motion for looms, comprising, 1n comb inat1on, a teeler member having a 7 connected part movable f rontwardlyv in a shuttle on each detecting beat and having an end portion to engage and be held from movement along the filling carrier by the filling until substantial exhaustion of filling, a controller movable in a path inclined to the path or the part connected to the feeler,

- path inclined to thelongitudinal axis of the r and a transmitter between the part carried by the feeler and the controller for moving movement of the former in its different path.-

6. In a feeler motion for looms the com the shuttle, a swinging transmitter adapted to be moved by the feeler member in a di rectioninclined to the'longitudinal-axis of 'the shuttle when thefillirig is substantially. 4

exhausted, and means actuated by movement of the transmitter for effecting r l i hmen-t of-fillingg 'the -latter in its prescribed path through '7. A feeler motioncomprising a feeler member mounted in an inclined posltion relative to the lay movement and movable lengthwise in a direction inclined to the lay -movement on a detecting beat, a transmitter mounted independently of the feeler member and adapted to be actuatedv thereby it moves frontwardly when the filling is substantially exhausted, a finger in the path of movement of the transmitter, and means a'ctu'atediby the finger when moved by the In testimonyWhereOfiI have signed my name to. this specification,

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